WWE NXT Recap 05.25.10

WWE Next recap from Cleveland, OH:

NXT opened with highlights of the previous rookie eliminations - Michael Tarver, Daniel Bryan, Skip Sheffield and Darren Young. There's just two weeks remaining until the NXT superstar is announced.

Matt Striker was in ring to introduce the WWE Pros Chris Jericho, The Miz, Matt Hardy, William Regal, Christian and R-Truth, the new US Champion. Striker said due to events at Over the Limit, CM Punk would not be joining them. Next, Striker brought out the four remaining NXT rookies: Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, David Otunga and Heath Slater. All four got in the ring with Striker where he congratulated them on reaching the Semifinals. Striker announced that next week is the NXT season finale, where one of the four won't be there, because a new Pros Poll is coming later.

Striker said now each rookie would have an opportunity to talk to the WWE Universe and WWE Pros about who should go home. Barrett spoke first saying the "Ginger Ninja Heath Slater" needs to go, because he can't stand his hair. Gabriel said David Otunga should go because he's been in the ring with him and he has no clue what he's doing. Otunga said he's not worried about Wade Barrett, and thinks Justin Gabriel is a bumbling, stuttering idiot on the mic who he's beaten before. Heath Slater said Wade Barrett should go because he doesn't understand how a guy whose nose is as crooked as the road is still on TV.

Striker said they'll have express themselves physically, because each of the rookies will team with their WWE Pros for tag matches. R-Truth jumped up out of his stool on the stage to start the "What's Up" song en route to the ring. NXT took a commercial as Truth was still rapping with the fans.

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Heath Slater & Christian vs. David Otunga & R-Truth

The other WWE Pros watched from up on stage as the match went down.

During the late stages, Slater had control against Otunga and tried for a pin. Otunga got a foot up on the bottom ropes. Slater ended up on the outside of the ring but jumped back to the apron where he punched Otunga. Slater climbed the corner turnbuckle and did a flying crossbody. As he landed, Otunga rolled through to steal the pinfall victory. Otunga is now 6-4 with the win.

Winners: R-Truth and David Otunga win via pinfall over Christian and Heath Slater.

They showed Daniel Bryan pacing backstage in the locker room area. Josh Matthews posed the question of whether Daniel Bryan will publicly apologize to Michael Cole, or face a lawsuit?

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Josh Matthews reminded fans to visit WWE.com for complete coverage of the Over the Limit PPV results.

Michael Cole was in the ring with four security personnel. Cole said he wouldn't take up too much time tonight because there's four guys in the locker room battling for a spot in WWE. Cole said the most unprofessional thing to ever happen to him during his career occurred last week. They rolled the highlights of the Daniel Bryan in-ring speech and then his attack on Cole. Back to Cole in-ring, who said he still has trouble watching that, and it's been a very traumatic week for him. Cole said he's met with attorneys who advised him to have personal security on hand tonight. Cole said his attorneys said he can sue Daniel Bryan for everything he's worth, but he will be more of a man than Bryan was. He's giving Bryan the option to publicly apologize tonight or go to court.

Cole called out Daniel Bryan to come down and make things right, then waited. Bryan finally emerged from backstage and Cole got back behind the security guys. Bryan said he's going to apologize and there's no need for the security. Bryan said he's got no job now and he doesn't need the security guards. Cole said if he's sincere then that's fine. Cole ordered the guards to leave the ring and standby. Bryan said "I'm truly sorry." Cole said it's all over and offered a handshake. Bryan got on the mic and repeated "I'm sorry" then added "I'm sorry you're the worst announcer there is." He began going off about how much heart he has compared to the other guys, and how WWE tried to hold him back, pairing him with the worst Pro, The Miz. Security got back in the ring, and Cole used them to hide behind.

Cole went off on Daniel Bryan telling him maybe he needs to look at himself in the mirror. He said Bryan was walking around talking about being the submission specialist, but he was the one who tapped out, because he has no heart. Cole called Bryan a "loser". Bryan became enraged and went after Cole, but security pounced to hold him back. Bryan rushed out of the ring and tackled Cole near the barrier. The security guards had to hold him back finally and escort him up the ramp. As they got to the top, Miz began to yell at the former contestant. Bryan finally went over and punched him down. Security intervened but it became a huge mess with both guys rolling around at the top of the ramp. Finally order was restored, with Cole holding his head near the barrier yelling "he's a maniac!"

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WWE NXT came back with a replay of the brawl that went down involving Daniel Bryan, Michael Cole, The Miz and security guards. Josh Matthews was still on commentary and now joined by Striker. Matt Striker said Bryan has some heart but doesn't have any respect. Matthews said he thinks Bryan has more respect for what they do than any other rookie in NXT.

Justin Gabriel vs. Wade Barrett

Matthews said Justin Gabriel can be a cultural icon just like Zack Morris, Dylan McKay or Jacob Black. Barrett scored early elbow drops on Gabriel as Jericho screamed at the commentators about what to talk about. He yelled at Matthews asking if he was talking about Wade Barrett then screamed at him to talk about him some more.

In the ring, Barrett used a submission arm hold on Gabriel on the mat as Matt Hardy tried to rally his rookie from the outside with crowd support. Barrett maintained a dominant performance and sat Gabriel up on the corner. Gabriel punched Wade in the gut, then did a Sunset Flip Powerbomb to slam Barrett to the mat. Gabriel hit the 450 splash and collected the big win over Barrett. Gabriel is now 7-3 with the best record of the rookies. Jericho looked disgusted outside with his rookie's performance.

Winner: Justin Gabriel wins via pinfall over Wade Barrett.

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NXT came back with the Raw Rebound to show Batista whining in the ring, with injuries from the I Quit Match. He met the new Raw GM, Bret Hart, who offered him a qualifying match against Randy Orton for Fatal 4-Way WWE Title match. Batista said he couldn't compete so Bret said Randy Orton would qualify by forfeit. Batista threatened to quit WWE if Bret went through with that, and the Hitman did so. Batista kept yelling at the audience he would quit then finally yelled out "I Quit!" Josh Matthews spoke about the Fatal 4-Way WWE Title match now set: John Cena defends against Edge, Randy Orton and Sheamus at the PPV.

Matt Striker was up on the stage with the WWE Pros. He said it was time for the pros to get together and discuss their thoughts for the next Pros Poll. NXT went to commercial break with the WWE Pros huddled and talking over their notes.

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NXT returned to reveal the semifinals Pros Poll. Wade Barrett was #1 once again despite losing on the show tonight. At the #2 spot was still David Otunga. That meant Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater were in the bottom two. Striker said one of them will go home, while the other goes to the season finale. Striker had the final two spots revealed - Justin Gabriel was third and Heath Slater was fourth, meaning Slater's gone.

Striker asked for some insight from Slater's Pro Christian. Christian said the cards were stacked against Heath from the start. Christian said the Peeps felt he could have done it. Christian talked about how Jericho is biased towards Barrett. Christian said he still sees big things from Slater in the future. Striker asked The Miz why Slater was voted off NXT. Miz said he couldn't feel the passion from Slater during his time, he just didn't bring it. The Miz said he was good sometimes and sometimes he was off, you can never be off in WWE. R-Truth gave his thoughts and said Truth is he busted his butt, but it's the survival of the fittest in WWE, best of luck next time.

Next up Jericho gave his thoughts after pausing to upset the crowd some. He said he expects David Otunga and Gabriel will be the next to go and his rookie will be the NXT winner. He told Barrett to get his head right and stop losing to clowns like Justin Gabriel. Slater got to speak his final thoughts. Slater talked about being first rookie to defeat a pro - Chris Jericho, the same guy who defeated The Rock and Stone Cold in one night. Slater said they may have pulled the plug on the "one man rock band" but he'll give them a mind-blowing encore. Striker said next week is the WWE NXT finale when we learn who is the next superstar for WWE. David Otunga, Justin Gabriel and Wade Barrett all posed in the ring as NXT closed out.